Is the V-Strom 1000 a Dual Sport BIke?

[klrman]

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Thanks scooter! The bash plate arrived yesterday with the center stand and the Givi Bars arrived today. Apparently the new Givis won't crackat the welds like the first few they had. Can't wait to get to them this weekend. Ordered some Magura Bars too. From what I read, everybody thinks the windsheild is made for people under 5'2'' and I think the same too. The wind smacks you pretty hard at times. I can't try out a Givi sheild though as everyone suggests as they are on back order by everyone in the states. Do you know of any Canadian Dealer that stocks them?

Many people take a tooth off the counter sprocket and add a 1 or 2 on the rear one to make more use of 6th gear, but I have nearly 1,000k on it now and I kind of like the 6th gear the way it is. It seems really good once you switch into it at 120k. Had it up to 190k today and it feels nice and relaxed in 6th. Keep thinking of my KLR at 150k where it feels like the engine wants to explode, whereas this beast just purrs:hf:

 

[bomba]

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Thought I'd put in a plug for the 650 V Strom as I bought a 06 in February. This is my first street bike, as I've only ever owned dual sport bikes, my comparisons are limited.

The Good: The motor is smooth & has lots of power. Corners & handles excellent -feels light. Lots of aftermarket stuff - you can farkle them to death! (I think mine weighs an additional 1000 lbs!)

The Bad: A mug only a mother could love. Windshield really p#ss#s me off, can't wait to replace it. Cast alloy wheels - not as durable or repairable as spoked wheels.

The 650 has had lots of favorable reports in motorcycle mags. I think it's a great bike.

Picture of mine without the panniers,

Bomba

 

[scooter]

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If you own the 650 with the damping rod forks put in the Race Tech cartridge emulators. Turns a choppy fork into a smooth one.

If you look on http://stromtrooper.comand search cartridge emulators, I have written a full report on them.

Now how can Suzuki get away with putting the same two pod Toiko's from the 650 on the 1000. You don't see them on the 1200 Bandit.

 

[klrman]

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That's a nice looking bike Bomba! My windsheild ticks me off too ! I rode to Vernon today 2 up and it was ok, but there is much room for improvement on that. Just can't find anyone with a Givi in stock, but will be a huge improvement once I get my hands on one. There is a guy in Denver that will build spoked wheels apparently for the strom but I bet the price will be a little scary:hr: Took my 1000 up Mt Tappen where it has lots of rocks, and I have to say that it goes anywhere but just slower. Don't want to abuse this bike as a DP, but want to get the hang of it if I ever decide to get off the beaten path. I guess these bikes feel easy as you sit lower than a real DP bike so no matter what you face, nothing like 2 legs sticking out when the going gets tough. Need to approach the real dips sideways though due to the ground clearance.

 

[vanmixman]

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My friend sold his KLR and bought a 1000 vstrom. He was in at NS Suzuki getting the power commander installed and had to call me. The 1000 is clearing out at about $2000 less than regular price. Sorry I can't remember the exact price. They are basically clearing them out at cost. I wish I had the money. I still can't decide on the 650 or 1000. I have about 2 hours on 2 different 1000's. Now it is time to road test a 650.

 

[klrman]

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They are clearing them out about $2000 and change here in BC and Alberta too. I got the 1000 because already have a 650 KLr and want some more guts on the hwy and am really glad I went for it, but the 650 is a great bike too. If you do lots of 2 up, the 1000 has the grunt. 650 needs to work the gears more to keep up but it is a great bike and many people prefer it to the 1000 because it is lighter. Because one sits lower on these bikes than the DP bikes, the 1000 feels really light to me so it made no difference in my decision. Like the dual exhausts on the 1000 too. WHen the hills come, it is a great rush to open up the throttle on the 1000.

 

[CrazyD2.0]

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Wondering if anyone's ridden with passenger on the 1000. I took my wife for a ride on the KLR one night - could really tell how much more the bike handled (I'm 6"4 190lbs as it is)

 

[klrman]

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I just rode with my wife to vernon and back last night from Salmon arm and
the engine does not seem to know my wife was on the bike. Handling was fine and I went the back windy road to Vernon with tons of corners so it was a good test. There is a large knob on the outside of the bike so one can adjust the damping on the rear shock for 2 up or extra loads but I forgot to do it. Still was fine though. I went as fast as 170k with my wife on and it was very stable. Will be much nicer though with a better windshield.

 

[bomba]

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Hi Scooter,

I've signed up a few months ago on Stromtrooper & I'll check out your report. Does the cartridge emulators control the flow (probably not the right description)of the fork fluid under compression? How much are these Race Tech cartridge emulators?

Bomba

scooter wrote:

If you own the 650 with the damping rod forks put in the Race Tech cartridge emulators. Turns a choppy fork into a smooth one.

If you look on http://stromtrooper.comand search cartridge emulators, I have written a full report on them.

Now how can Suzuki get away with putting the same two pod Toiko's from the 650 on the 1000. You don't see them on the 1200 Bandit.

 

[klrman]

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I have 1500k on my bike now and it feels like a rocket, but, my brother bought the same bike as mine and his runs terrible. It seems it is true what I read about the Stroms that they need the Throttle Bodies synced at the first service and this is just another case. 2 of the same bikes with nearly the same mileage, so am still waiting for my Twinmax to sync them myself. Never did it before, but I heard once one figures it out the first time, it only takes about 5 mintues there after. Can rev the bike now to 7000rpm and have to say this bike really has guts...the power is right where is should be and so usable.. It revs so fast becasue of the light flywheel and is a blast to ride. It's so gutsy though that it really does not need to be reved over 5500 or even over 5000 unless someone is chasing you and you need to shake them loose.


I think what surprises me the most is how smooth the power delivery is. Anybody can ride this bike and feel at home right away. Took it up to Silver Star the other day and this is where one can know how much fun this bike is. That long windy road up the mountain has to be the most fun anyone could possibly have in one afternoon and looks like it was made for the 1000. Ordered a Fork brace as well, but she corners so good that the brace will just be icing on the cake. Since have never owned a street bike before, a few times have overshot a corner and ended up on the gravel strip, but that is because am not used the leaning the bike over so much. Always get the feeling there may be a little oil or sand on the road and I will loose the front wheel. My brother caught me once on the gravel and slowed down to ask me what happened, and I told him I am just executing emergency tactis so I don't get caught off guard when it really happens:ted:

 

[klrman]

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Forgot to mention one more thing....like most who have the 1000, don't have the heart anymore to take it off road much. Too nice a bike to want to drop and not built for any rough stuff off the tarmac. Just long distance touring and gravel roads mostly. WIll leave the fun stuff off road to my KLR.

 

[roscopcoletrain]

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Just make sure you install Crash Bars ( I now call them side skid plates ) for those corners that you may over shoot ,they can save you a lot of money

OH and try not to keep up with Really good riders on Beemers, that can save you even more :mad2:

Other than that these Bikes are Awsome :dr:



NO ANIMALS OR PEOPLE WERE HURT MAKING THIS PICTURE !!!!

rosco

 

[klrman]

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I just bolted those same Givi bars on the weekend and a Skid plate too! Nice to know from your picture that the bars will actually come in handy:hb: Got to admire those Beemer riders though who can thrash their $25,000 bikes in the dirt and drop them a few times! The Strom is less than half the price and my heart would still drop if she fell over.:shock: BTW, just noticed your turn signal does not look anatomically correct

 

[klrman]

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Got my Givi bars and Sw-Motech bash plate on. Hope I never have to test them, but feel much better having then on the gravel and back roads now.:hf: I still keep taking her on the mountan trails here just to see how far she will go and I seem to get
everywhere, just a little slower if there are rocks or big dips. Nice to know this little piggy can putt around everywhere if need be.

 

[Yak_KLR650]

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Ludi,

Nice lookling ride! congrats!:clap:

 

[klrman]

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Thanks Doug! Never thought could have as much fun on another bike after the KLR, but beginning to realize that all bikes are good and all bikes are fun. Found this picture of a Strom getting some air too. Here is a nice link too with pics of V-Stroms doing all sorts of stuff http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=64304

 

[klrman]

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Put a set of Magura Bars on EX Bend. Really makes a difference on the feel of this bike. Much more solid and much more fun on the trails.

 

[Yak_KLR650]

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Can you get spoked wheels for the Strom? Maybe lace some 1200 GS rims so you can still run tubeless tires?

 

[klrman]

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There is supposed to be a guy in Denver who can do it, but he as not replied to my email yet. The good news is I would still have around $13k to spend on this bike before I could buy a stock GS more or less. Have talked to many on the strom forums and they have no problems with the stock wheels. I gues one would have to bash it reallly hard to dent it but I would really like spoked wheels too if I could machine them to fit.

 

[malachi]

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are those the stock bars and risers??